Pixhawk Flashing

This guide explains how to install the PX4 firmware onto the Pixhawk flight controller as part of the MAVISS platform setup.

Firmware Download

The latest stable PX4 firmware can be downloaded from the official release page:

Choose the firmware version appropriate for your hardware (e.g., Pixhawk 4, Pixhawk 6X). It is recommended to use the latest stable release unless a specific feature requires the development version.

Flashing with QGroundControl

The firmware is flashed using QGroundControl (QGC), which provides a simple interface for managing the Pixhawk.

  1. Connect the Pixhawk to your computer using a USB cable.

  2. Open QGroundControl.

  3. Navigate to:

    Vehicle Setup → Firmware

  4. Select PX4 Autopilot when prompted.

  5. QGC will automatically detect the connected Pixhawk and begin flashing.

  6. Once complete, QGC will reboot the Pixhawk with the newly installed firmware.

Verification

  • After flashing, QGC should display the vehicle type and firmware version.

  • Perform an initial parameter reset to ensure defaults are applied:

    param reset-all